Worship Bulletin – January 12, 2025

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

WELCOME TO OLDTOWN
North Attleborough, MA — January 12, 2025

Ministers: ALL of our Members and Friends
Pastor & Teacher: The Rev. Kelly Thibeault

Welcome to the Oldtown Church!

We are so glad that you have chosen to worship with us today. We invite you to join in on the bold print in the bulletin and to stand as you are able any time you see a ⇑. The restrooms are out the back door of the sanctuary to the right, as is a little space in case your little one needs a walkabout. Here in Oldtown, we are all about being curious, so don’t be afraid to ask questions, and please join us for fellowship after worship!
Please remember to mute your devices during worship.

PRELUDE

GATHERING MUSIC

WELCOME

WORSHIP WAYS

TIME OF CENTERING C#495 – “Weave”

A MOMENT TO LET GO / OPENING PRAYER

CALL TO WORSHIP
We gather to worship God.
Send your Spirit upon us and remind us that we are beloved.
We come from many places.
Send your Spirit upon us and let us know that we belong.
We turn our hearts to God.
Send your Spirit upon us, that we might delight in you as you delight in us.

⇑ HYMN C#357–”We Call Ourselves Disciples” (verses 1, 3, & 5)

TIME OF SHARING
Open our eyes, Lord. We want to see Jesus,
To reach out and touch Him and say that we love Him.
Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen.
Open our eyes, Lord. We want to see Jesus.

A BIBLE STORY – “Beloved, Belonging and Delightful”

Today’s reading is based on Matthew 3:1-17 (NT 3), Mark 1:9-11 (NT 42), Luke 3:21-22 (NT 73), and John 1:19-34 (NT 112)

SERMON

PREPARING OURSELVES FOR PRAYER
In moments like these, I sing out a song,
I sing out a love song to Jesus.
In moments like these, I lift up my hands,
I lift up my hands to the Lord.
Singing, I love You, Lord. Singing, I love You, Lord.
Singing, I love You, Lord. I love You.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
CHORAL RESPONSE

OFFERING OUR THANKS
GIFT OF SONG
⇑ DOXOLOGY (C#151)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God, all creatures here below.
Praise God above, Ye heavenly host.
Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost! Amen.
⇑ PRAYER OF DEDICATION

FOR THE LOVE OF CHURCH

⇑ SENDING HYMN–#C480 “I Love to Tell the Story”

⇑ BENEDICTION

⇑ BENEDICTION RESPONSE (C#445)
Sent forth by God’s blessing, our true faith confessing,
The people of God from this dwelling take leave.
The service is ended. O now be extended
The fruits of our worship in all who believe.
The seed of the teaching, receptive hearts reaching,
Shall blossom in action for God and for all.
God’s grace did invite us, and love shall unite us,
To work for God’s realm and to answer the call.

POSTLUDE

*** Our worship has ended; let our service begin! ***

The Oldtown Message
January 12, 2025

OLDTOWN CALENDAR
Sun January 12: Household Huddle 9:15am
~ Worship 10am
~ Church committee meeting following worship – Annual Reports due
Wed January 15: Coffee Connection 10am-noon
Sat January 11: Second Serving Thrift Shop 9am-noon
~ Missions Fellowship Event
Sun January 19: Household Huddle 9:15am
~ Worship 10am
Check our Online Calendar for even more Oldtown, denominational, and local events, free webinars, and other resources!! Have something you’d like added to the calendar? Email calendar@oldtownucc.org with all the information, and we’ll get it posted.

OLDTOWN PRAYER LIST

Edi & John, Lynn, Tim, Jim, Mark, Wendy, Cyndy, Joan, Justine & Nolan, the Miranda & K family, Jan & Kylie, Steven, Tegan, Dana, Ken, Lynne, Kaye, Karen, Samantha, Robin, Donna, Winnie, Carl, Karen, Samantha, Robin, Donna, Winnie, Carl, Gabby, Marilyn, Michael, Sue C., Ann, Henry, John.
To add a name to the list, email Pastor Kelly at PastorKelly@Oldtownucc.org, text 508-695-1713, or drop a note in the offering plate.

NEW MEMBERS

On January 26, 2025, during worship, we will be welcoming New Members into our church family. If you have questions about what it means to be a member of the Oldtown Church or would like to discuss the possibility of joining our church, please see one of our Deacons or talk with Pastor Kelly.

OLDTOWN UPDATE EMAIL

Do you get our Friday Email, aka “The Oldtown Update”? Our Oldtown Update is like a weekly newsletter that lets everyone know what is going on in Oldtown. If you do not receive it and would like to, drop a note in the offering with your email address or let Pastor Kelly know. Subscribe to our Friday Email Updates online, or let Pastor Kelly know your email address.

STEWARDSHIP CORNER

Weekly Giving

• Last week, our first week of the new year, we welcomed 51 people in worship, and our total giving to the church for the week was $3,514.43, which is $2,091.35 more than expected.

The Bible is a collection of many stories of different types that teach us what God is like, how much God loves us, and what his plans are for us. Through songs, poems, instructive tales, historical accounts, and predictions of a future yet to come, there is something new to see and learn every time you read a story. And the many translations provide us with different perspectives for different audiences, which we can also learn from. Keep God’s Word always in your mind and in your heart.

He has told you, O mortal, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?
   ~ Micah 6:8 (NRSVUE)

First Congregational Church, UCC of North Attleborough
(Oldtown Church)
675 Old Post Road, North Attleborough, MA 02760
508-695-1713
Pastor Kelly’s email: PastorKelly@oldtownucc.org
Church Email: church@oldtownucc.org
Website: www.oldtownucc.org
YouTube: www.youtube.com/oldtownucc
Facebook: www.facebook.com/oldtownucc
Subscribe to our Friday Email Updates
Learn more about our denomination: www.ucc.org